St Barnabas Church in Jericho Signs Contract for New Organ Construction
A significant new chapter is underway for the musical tradition at St Barnabas Church in Jericho, following the official signing of an agreement with Henry Willis & Sons Ltd. Organ Builders of Liverpool. The milestone comes after more than half a decade of dedicated planning and fundraising supported by community donors and benefactors.
Crafting a Victorian-Inspired Instrument for Oxford
The forthcoming instrument carries a distinct historical lineage, incorporating original Victorian-period pipes sourced from two notable older instruments. These include elements from an 1876 'Father' Willis organ originally located in Bargeddie Church in Lanarkshire, alongside surviving pipes from an 1877 Father Willis organ formerly housed at St Paul’s Bow Common in London.
Master craftsmen have already begun the intricate design and construction process. Initial efforts in the Liverpool factory focus on restoring the essential soundboards—crafted from strong, long-lasting original Victorian mahogany—and the bellows responsible for distributing pressurized air through the system.
What Visitors and Music Lovers Can Expect
While the majority of the current construction takes place off-site, local visitors will soon notice visible changes inside the historic Oxford building. The non-functioning current organ's existing pipes, soundboards, and woodwork are scheduled for removal following scaffolding installation expected just after Christmas. Meanwhile, the present 1976 console and organ case will be carefully restored and remodelled to integrate directly into the final installation.
Further updates on the project's progression will be shared as new stages unfold. To discover more cultural highlights and historical landmarks across the city, you can explore the interactive Oxford map view or browse local sights using Musemap (musemap.art).
